Online purchases

Uber Eats introduces a new returns feature allowing customers to initiate returns via smartphone. A contracted courier picks up eligible retail items for a fee, simplifying the process and offering instant refunds. This service, available for purchases over $20 from partners like Best Buy, aims to boost customer loyalty and retailer efficiency, transforming returns into a seamless, on-demand experience.

A 66-year-old Chinese retiree, Ms. Wang, spent over 2 million yuan ($275k) on excessive online shopping, filling two apartments floor-to-ceiling with unopened parcels. Living alone, her hoarding created severe clutter, disrupting her living space and causing sanitation issues affecting neighbors. Despite community intervention attempts, the behavior persisted, with new purchases even filling a second rented apartment. She claims overspending stems partly from loneliness and aiming to deter loan requests by appearing broke after moving to a cheaper home. This case highlights mental health and isolation challenges within China’s aging population.